Journalism

In light of recent ethics conversations in state and national government (from IM22 to challenges to the Trump administration’s handling of business conflicts of interest) we settle in for an hour-long conversation about ethics. What do we talk about when we talk about ethics? How do ethics differ from profession to profession? And how do we hold ourselves and each other accountable in an age of shifting expectations.

Former USA Today media columnist Rem Rieder visits with Lori Walsh for the entire hour of Dakota Midday Tuesday. Rieder has been an editor at the American Journalism Review, the Washington Post and the Miami Herald. He talks about the media's role in the 2016 election, including journalistic failures, the role of comedians in political discourse, citizen journalism and more. Rieder spoke at the Sioux Falls Downtown Rotary Monday.

After decades of covering the biggest news stories in South Dakota, journalists Terry Woster and Kevin Woster shared never-before-told stories about witnessing history from a front-row seat. They'll also provided insights on the waves of change affecting journalism and its essential role in American democracy. Regional reporter and political junkie Denise Ross moderated their conversation Friday night at the Journey Museum in Rapid City.

Coming from a lower class family in a small town, one politician wants to inspire young people to pursue opportunities and improve current democracy. Former Senator Larry Pressler has published a new book, Senator Pressler: An Independent Mission to Save Our Democracy. He says today's democracy is poisonous and voters are apathetic. Pressler wants to rediscover America's ethical core through education, journalism and self-esteem. He also touches on his background in Vietnam and his diverse philosophical and religious views.

Lori Walsh interviews author Roy Peter Clark. He joins Dakota Midday to talk about the importance of language when discussing breaking news, tragedy, and developing stories. From phrases such as “worst mass shooting” and designations such as “presumptive nominee,” Clark examines the value of ethics and usage when we discuss the stories of our times in ways that honor accuracy and truth. Roy Peter Clark has taught writing at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies since 1979. He has served the Institute as its first full-time faculty member, dean, vice-president, and senior scholar.

From how the selections are made to the impact the announcement has on the cultural conversation, Beck provides behind-the-scenes insight into arguably the most significant award in American journalism, arts & letters, and more.

Teri Finneman, SDSU professor of journalism, discusses her new book, Press Portrayals of Women Politicians, 1870s-2000s: From “Lunatic” Woodhull to “Polarizing” Palin. She joins Dakota Midday during a year when a woman is running for president of the United States and two women are vying for a seat in the US House of Representatives. We’ll talk about media coverage of female politicians, as well as the responsibility of journalists in coverage of female and male public figures.

Prichard was editor-in-chief of USA Today from 1988 to 1995. He also served as president of the Freedom Forum and the Newseum Institute, an interactive news museum in Washington, DC. Prichard is also the author of The Making of McPaper: The Inside Story of USA Today.

Ruth Ziolkowski died last night at the age of 87. Ziolkowski continued her husband Korczak's dream of honoring Native Americans by carving the likeness of Crazy Horse into the Black Hills of South Dakota. Under her direction, the Crazy Horse Memorial turned into a national draw. Jack Marsh, former President and CEO of the Freedom Forum and co-founder of the Crazy Horse Journalism Workshop, and Tim Giago, founder of the Native Sun News and the Native American Journalists Association, shared memories of their friend and colleague, Ziolkowski.

Jeff Sonderman, Digital Media Fellow at the Poynter Institute, discussed how people are using social media to report, discuss and debate Friday's school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. He remarked about initial reports in both social and conventional media that were incorrect. Sonderman specializes in writing about and training journalists in mobile news platforms, social media and digital journalism. He also teaches a digital journalism course at Georgetown University.

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